'Top Gun' Is the Movie You Need to Watch on the 4th of July
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'Top Gun' Is the Movie You Need to Watch on the 4th of July
Fourth of July is usually a day filled with fun activities. You likely have a BBQ to attend, a beach outing planned or a parade to watch. You'll be eating plenty of red, white and blue-themed desserts and sipping some refreshing themed cocktails. You and the family might even find yourselves testing each other about 4th of July trivia as you just lounge in the backyard. And of course, when it's time to settle down, you'll watch your local fireworks outdoors or stream the Macy's Fireworks Spectacular. But you don't have to stop the festivities after the show's over.
Grab your favorite snacks and end the night with a 4th of July movie. Whether you're looking for something funny, patriotic or educational, our list of the best Fourth of July movies has something for you and the family to enjoy. We're talking Hamilton, National Treasure and of course, Independence Day. Bonus: you can stream most on them on Amazon!
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1) Hamilton (2000)
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This musicial blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway to tell the story of Alexander Hamilton, an American revolutionary, statesman and Founding Father of the United States. You'll watch a live show so riveting, you'll think you're sitting front row.
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2) Harriet (2019)
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Cynthia Erivo stars as abolitionist Harriet Tubman. The movie tells the story of Tubman's incredible legacy, including leading the Underground Railroad and guiding enslaved people to freedom.
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3) 1776 (1972)
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If you have someone in your life that won't shut up about the Hamilton soundtrack, they'll probably love 1776. It's actually a pretty accurate retelling of the first ever Independence Day — minus the catchy songs, of course.
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4) The American President (1995)
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Dating is hard, especially when you're the president of the United States. This sweet romantic comedy follows a widowed U.S. President as he falls for an environmental lobbyist — and all of the bumps along the way.
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5) National Treasure (2004)
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A treasure map on the back of the Declaration of Independence? It's not the craziest thing that happens during this story's running time. This Nicolas Cage action flick is pure campy fun.
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6) Girls Trip (2017)
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Get ready to laugh with Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith, Tiffany Haddish and Queen Latifah as they head to New Orleans during 4th of July weekend to attend the Essence Festival.
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7) Zero Dark Thirty (2013)
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You'll be on the edge of your seat during this twisty thriller that dramatizes the hunt for Osama bin Laden following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
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8) Air Force One (1997)
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Harrison Ford does what only Harrison Ford could do in this Cold War action movie — play a U.S. President who can fight of assassins with his bare hands.
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9) Jaws (1975)
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It might not stoke your inner patriot, but this film is set on July 4. A beach town is rocked when a killer shark is out for blood. Steven Spielberg's thriller, based on the novel by Peter Benchley, is a can't-miss summer flick.
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10) Top Gun (1986)
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Training to become a Navy fighter pilot, Maverick (Tom Cruise) certainly has his work cut out for him. But with a new bestie named Goose and a crush on his flight instructor, we see just how much this young pilot can accomplish. It went on to win the People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie and reigns as one of the most popular Halloween costumes of all time.
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11) Independence Day (1996)
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In this movie released the day before the 4th of July in 1996, Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith) and President Whitmore (Bill Pullman) are on a mission to save the United States ... from an alien invasion. This sci-fi action film is a twist on your classic war movie.
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12) Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
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If you want to sing and dance your way through the 4th of July, just turn on this musical starring James Cagney. Looking back at the life of Broadway icon George M. Cohan, you'll hear all the patriotic tunes you know and love (like "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "Over There").
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13) Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
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Just three years after Top Gun, Tom Cruise starred in the movie based on former Marine Ron Kovic's life. You'll see how he transforms from dedicated soldier to a critic of the war that left him paralyzed.
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14) Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)
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We all know about President Abraham Lincoln's accomplishments in the White House, but this dramatized version of his early life takes us back to his time as a lawyer in Illinois. Starring Henry Fonda, we see how Lincoln rose to power and found love (twice) in a film that is 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
RELATED: 20 Photos of U.S. Presidents Before and After the White House
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15) Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939)
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When local hero Jefferson Smith is surprisingly appointed to serve in the United States Senate, he becomes even more shocked when he learns what he's up against. The fictional story of a young idealist entering the Senate was met with positive reviews from viewers and is even featured in the Senate's history.
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16) Glory (1989)
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You'll feel all the feels watching this movie about the first African-American regiment, led by Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick). With famous faces like Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, we honor and celebrate the men who risked their lives during the Civil War.
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17) The Longest Day (1962)
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John Wayne takes the helm as Lt. Col. Benjamin Vandervoort in this film about D-Day. Presenting the perspectives of the Allies storming the Normandy beaches and the Germans, this film shows what happened in 1944 from all angles.
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18) A League of Their Own (1992)
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Geena Davis and Lori Petty play a competitive pair of sisters in this film, loosely adapted from the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. During World War II, these women came together to play ball after so many men went off to war.
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19) The Sandlot (1993)
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Ideal for the whole family, no one can forget the epic 4th of July scene in The Sandlot. The gang of adventurous, baseball-loving boys will make your kids (and you!) laugh out loud.
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20) Forrest Gump (1994)
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Tom Hanks' iconic character Forrest Gump lives a life full of adventure as history unfolds. Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, the Vietnam War, and Watergate are all shown in this fictional story. We bet everyone will be yelling, "Run, Forrest!" long after the credits roll.
RELATED: Tom Hanks and His Wife Rita Wilson's 31-Year Love Story Will Make You Swoon
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21) Apollo 13 (1995)
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Just a year later, Hanks played one of the three astronauts aboard NASA's spacecraft Apollo 13. The movie about the near-disastrous true story changed up the real quote, but it brought us the memorable line, "Houston, we have a problem."
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22) Saving Private Ryan (1998)
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In this heart-wrenching film, you'll see Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) go behind enemy lines in the hopes of locating missing soldier, Private James Ryan (Matt Damon). All three of Ryan's brothers have been killed in combat, and Miller makes it his mission to save him.
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23) The Patriot (2000)
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After his son is murdered, a peaceful farmer is forced to fight the British to avenge his death. Mel Gibson's performance earned him the People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor.
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24) Pearl Harbor (2001)
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The real-life event is depicted in this period romance drama following two best friends (Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett) who fall for the same woman (Kate Beckinsale). It was nominated for three Oscars, and won for Best Sound Editing.
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25) Miracle (2004)
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If you're like us, you're a sucker for an emotional sports drama. Telling the true story of Herb Brooks, Kurt Russell stars in this moving film about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team defeating Russia to earn the gold.
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26) Hidden Figures (2017)
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This movie is about three formerly unsung heroes, NASA's Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe). Together, they worked to launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit. The film was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer.
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27) Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
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Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) turns into the ultimate superhero after he's rejected from the military because of his small stature. His transformation ultimately helps him combat the Nazis in this fictional portrayal of World War II.
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28) I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
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Fourth of July weekend takes a dramatic turn when four friends are stalked by an evil fisherman in a small beach town. Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe and Freddie Prinze Jr. comprise the cast of terrified teens.
RELATED: These Teen Movies on Netflix Will Either Have You Swooning or Cringing
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29) Selma (2015)
PARAMOUNT-SDS
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Spend the holiday with a 4th of July movie honoring Dr. King's legacy and his vision for our freedom. David Oyelowo stars as the civil rights leader in Ava DuVernay's film chronicling the iconic Selma, Alabama march for peace.
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30) Rocky (1976)
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Celebrate the 4th of July holiday with Rocky and a movie marathon! Watch the fireworks fly across your screen with Sylvester Stallone's classic American tale about the ways strength and grace lead us to heroic victory.
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